Jeremy was taken aback. “You will?”
“Yes.”
“I say, Angelstone.” Jeremy stared at him in astonishment. “That’s very good of you, sir. I appreciate it.”
“You do realize that if you get yourself killed your mama will blame me. And so will my wife.” Sebastian smiled faintly. “I can deal with your mama, but I do not like to contemplate my future if Lady Angelstone concludes that I did nothing to prevent you from getting yourself shot.”
“I do not intend to get myself shot,” Jeremy said. “The goal is to put a bullet in Curling.”
“No, Cousin,” Sebastian said softly. “The goal is to destroy Curling. Challenging him to a duel is a tactic of last resort.”
“Why?”
“The results would be far too uncertain. He might very well survive, for example, even if you do lodge a bullet in him. Many men do. Trust me when I tell you that there are other, more reliable methods for accomplishing your goal.”
Jeremy watched him as the carriage rumbled down the street. “How do you suggest I go about destroying Curling?”
Sebastian explained the plan he had been formulating since the moment he had discovered the business agreement that bound The Princes of Virtue.
They arrived at Curling’s town house an hour before dawn. The fog was thickening rapidly.
Curling’s butler, disheveled and angry at having been summoned from his bed at such an early hour, answered the door. He sighed at the sight of two gentlemen standing on the doorstep.
“Inform your master that Angelstone wishes to see him at once,” Sebastian said.
“His lordship only got in an hour ago,” the butler said. “He won’t like being awakened.”
Sebastian smiled. “I do not particularly care if he likes it or not.”
The butler eyed Sebastian’s smile. “Very well, m’lord. If you and your gentleman friend will step inside, I’ll see that his lordship is informed of your presence.” He stalked away.
Sebastian looked at Jeremy, who was rigid with anger and tension. “Calm yourself, Jeremy. Or at any rate, try to give the appearance of being calm. Nothing does more to unsettle the nerves of one’s foe than to appear unutterably amused or even bored.”
“You should know,” Jeremy said dryly. “You’re a master at the art. I’d give a fortune to know how you manage to act so damnably amused or excruciatingly bored in a situation such as this.”
“There is acting talent on my side of the family, if you will recall.”
Jeremy slid him an assessing glance. “There are many who say you are cold-blooded by nature.”
Sebastian thought of Prudence waiting at home. “And one who says I am not.”
The sound of voices at the top of the stairs caught Jeremy’s attention. “Here comes Curling.”
“You will allow me to conduct this interview,” Sebastian said quietly.
“Yes, sir.”
Curling, garbed in a silver gray dressing gown, ran a hand through his hair as he descended the staircase. He had a vaguely irritated expression on his face, suitable to a man who has been rudely awakened, but his eyes were alert and watchful
“What the devil do you want at this ungodly hour, Angelstone?” He gave Jeremy an unreadable glance. “I do hope this won’t take long.”
“Not long at all,” Sebastian assured him. “Shall we go into the library?”
Curling shrugged and led the way into the small library that opened off the hall. He casually motioned toward two chairs as he went to the brandy table. “Will you join me in a glass?”
“No,” Sebastian said. He sat down in an armchair and hooked one booted foot over his knee in a casual manner.
“No,” Jeremy said in the same cold tone. He stole a quick glance at Sebastian and then he, too, sat down. He was unable to achieve the same degree of ennui in his manner, but it was obvious he was making the effort.
“As you wish.” Curling poured himself a glass of brandy and turned to face them with a shuttered gaze. “Well? What is so important that you felt you must call upon me at this hour?”
“We are here to discuss the recent deaths of two of your business associates,” Sebastian said.
“Business associates?”
“Ringcross and Oxenham.”
Curling swallowed brandy. “What makes you think they’re business associates of mine?”
Sebastian smiled. “A document I found in Bloomfield’s desk. It is obvious by the terms of the agreement that you are now a great deal more wealthy than you were a few days ago. And if you succeed in finding and murdering Bloomfield, you will be even richer.”
Curling went very still. “Good lord, man. Are you accusing me of murdering my business partners?”
“Yes,” Sebastian said. “I am.”
“That’s nonsense.” Curling shot a narrow glance at Jeremy. “Ringcross died in a fall and Oxenham committed suicide.”
“Give it up,” Sebastian said. “I know everything, including how you attempted to implicate my cousin. I would be interested to learn how you came to know that I occasionally conduct investigations for Bow Street, but that is neither here nor there.”
“You are mad,” Curling snapped.
“No. And neither is Bloomfield. At least not entirely. He told me about what The Princes of Virtue did to Lillian.”
Jeremy’s hands tightened around the arms of his chair. “You kidnapped her. Raped her. Drove her to her death.”
Curling turned on him with glittering eyes. “She was nothing but a tavern whore. Her uncle sold her to us for the night. We paid quite well for her services.”
“She was not a prostitute,” Jeremy shouted. “She would never have agreed to go with you. You kidnapped her, you bastard.”
“Rubbish.” Curling’s mouth curved in contempt. “She was nothing but a cheap little doxy with rather pretty legs.”
“You do not even deny it?” Jeremy asked in disbelief.
“Why should I?” Curling asked. “I know a nice bit o’ muslin when I see one. And as I said, I paid well for her.”
“Damn you.” Jeremy was half out of his chair.
“Sit down,” Sebastian said softly.
Jeremy hesitated and then dropped reluctantly hack into the chair. “You raped her,” he accused Curling.
Curling lifted one shoulder in casual dismissal. “I’ll admit that I took a turn on her. She wasn’t very skilled, if you want to know the truth. The old man assured us she was a virgin and I do believe he was right.”
Jeremy stared at him with hatred. “You son of a bitch.”
Curling was amused. “You actually thought yourself in love with her, didn’t you?”
“Yes, I loved her, damn you.”
“And that’s why you killed Ringcross and Oxenham, isn’t it?” Curling concluded coolly. “You thought you were avenging your little tavern doxy.”
“I did not kill them,” Jeremy whispered. “Because I did not know about their guilt. But I fully intend to see you destroyed for what you did to Lillian.”
“Destroyed?” Curling chuckled. “How do you intend to destroy me?”
Sebastian decided he had better take charge again. He had known it would be difficult to rein in Jeremy’s hotheaded nature. “Curling, there is no sense dragging this out. Suffice it to say that I believe you killed Ringcross and Oxenham.”
“You cannot know that for certain.”
“You are the only one who had a motive,” Sebastian countered softly.
“Your cousin had a motive,” Curling retorted. “Avenging his tavern wench.”
“No, he did not, because he did not know about what The Princes of Virtue had done to Lillian until I told him.”
Curling’s nostrils flared. “How can you be sure of that?”
“Let’s just say I am trusting my instincts.” Sebastian rested one hand negligently on his boot. “Not that it matters. If I thought Jeremy had killed Ringcross and Oxenham to avenge Lillian, I would not concern myself
with the business.”
“We’re talking about murder,” Curling said swiftly.
“So? They deserved to be murdered. If Jeremy had been responsible, my main concern would be to see that he did not leave any evidence around the next time.”
Jeremy flashed him a startled glance.
Rage glittered in Curling’s eyes. “Damnation, Angel-stone. Are you saying that you would protect a Fleetwood from the authorities even if he was guilty of murder?”
“I prefer not to make sweeping statements,” Sebastian said. “I can assure you, however, that I am not going to turn my cousin over to Bow Street because of these particular murders.”
“I cannot believe you would shield a Fleetwood,” Curling rasped. “Everyone knows you hate the lot of them.”
“I will admit I am not overly fond of certain members of my family. But I do not despise them nearly as much as I despise men who kidnap and rape helpless young women.”
Curling slammed his hand down on a table with such force that the vase on top trembled. “She was a tavern wench. Why in the name of hell do you keep bringing her into this?”
“You don’t seem to understand,” Sebastian said. “Lillian is all that matters in this.”
“I don’t believe it,” Curling snarled.
Jeremy’s hands clenched into fists. “I will have justice for her.”
Sebastian realized he was beginning to develop some grudging respect for Jeremy.
“Goddamn it, you can prove nothing, Angelstone.” Curling finished the brandy and flung the glass aside. “Absolutely nothing.”
Sebastian twisted his mouth into another humorless smile. “We do not have to prove anything. You have admitted you bought Lillian from her uncle. You have admitted that you raped her. That is enough.”
“Enough for what?” Curling asked derisively. “No court would convict me of rape. It all happened three years ago and she was nothing but a whore.”
“It is enough for me to insist that you leave London this afternoon. You have another two days to make arrangements to leave England. You are not to return.”
Curling stared at him, stunned. “You are as mad as Bloomfield. Why should I leave England?”
Sebastian met Iris eyes. “Because if you do not I shall take it upon myself to inform your creditors that the company you have formed with the other Princes of Virtue is insolvent and that the shares are worthless.”
“But it’s not insolvent. The shares are not worthless, damn you, they’re worth a bloody fortune.”
“They will be worth less than the paper on which they arc written by the time I’m finished,” Sebastian said. “I have the power and the connections to do it. We both know it.”
Curling shook his head, dazed. “This makes no sense. I don’f understand any of it. You’re trying to banish me from the country because I once tumbled a tavern wench?”
“I believe that at long last, you’re beginning to grasp the situation.” Sebastian got to his feet. “If you will excuse us, my cousin and I must be on our way.”
Jeremy leaped to his feet. He faced Curling. “Make no mistake, Curling. If you do not leave London today, I shall challenge you to a duel. Angelstone has agreed to act as one of my seconds.”
Curling’s eyes instantly narrowed in fresh speculation. He looked at Sebastian. “Ah, now this makes a bit more sense. It would no doubt amuse you no end if I were to kill a Fleetwood for you, would it not, Angelstone? Is that the little drama you are trying to stage?”
“On the contrary, I would find it extremely tiresome if you managed lo put a bullet into my cousin.” Sebastian walked toward the door. “Because I would then be obliged to issue a challenge to you.”
“Goddamn you, Angelstone. Why in hell would you challenge me in order to avenge a Fleetwood?” Curling shouted.
“I’m not precisely certain why,” Sebastian admitted. “Something to do with my responsibilities to the family or some such nonsense. I expect my wife could explain it.”
Nineteen
ebastian got home shortly before dawn. He heard the distant clatter of pans from the kitchens as he went up the stairs. Even as the day was ending for the high-ranking members of the ton, it was just beginning for their servants.
He slowly untied his cravat as he walked down the hall to his bedchamber. He could feel the familiar tension deep inside. This was the hour he hated the most. It was the time when the new day did battle with the night and neither light nor darkness promised hope.
It seemed to Sebastian that he was most aware of the cold place deep inside himself at this hour. The feeling of being forever trapped in an icy gray fog always seemed strongest at dawn.
But it wasn’t quite as bad as it had been in the past, he realized. He knew it was because he had Prudence waiting for him. After dawn he would be able to lose himself in her warmth. How had he survived all these years without her?
He opened the door of his bedchamber and saw that the room was not empty. Prudence was asleep in his bed instead of her own. Lucifer was curled up beside her. The cat opened his golden eyes and stared unblinkingly at Sebastian.
Sebastian walked over to the bed and stood looking down at Prudence for a moment. Her hair was loose and her night rail had slipped down over one shoulder. She looked soft and warm and forever innocent. Because of her he was no longer completely alone.
He turned away from the bed and went across the room to the small table that held the brandy decanter. He poured himself a glass and sat down in front of the window to wait for the dawn.
Lucifer appeared beside the chair. He leaped effortlessly onto Sebastian’s thigh and settled down to watch the silent conflict through the window.
Sebastian stroked the cat and took a sip of brandy.
“Sebastian?”
“I’m home, Prue.”
He heard her get out of bed and cross the room to stand behind him. She put her hand on his shoulder.
“Is everything all right?” she asked softly. “Did your meeting with Curling go as you had planned?”
“Yes.” Sebastian stopped stroking Lucifer and reached up to clasp her hand. “I believe that he will leave England very soon.”
Prudence squeezed his fingers gently. “I knew you would take care of matters, my lord.”
“Did you?”
“Yes. You are a fine man, Sebastian. I am very proud to be your wife.”
The simple words touched him deep inside, melting more of the ice. “I did it for you, Prue.”
“I believe you would have done what you did for Jeremy, even if you had never met me.”
He did not want to argue with her, so he said nothing. He took another sip of brandy.
Prudence was silent for a moment. “Do you think you will ever be able to sleep at this hour?”
“Never. I hate the dawn. No matter how bright the day, the cold fog is still out there, waiting.”
“It is waiting for everyone, Sebastian. The secret is not to try to face it alone.”
He tightened his grip on her hand. Together they watched the light wrestle with the darkness. After a time Sebastian saw that the fog had turned a much paler shade of gray. The morning had arrived.
Sebastian put Lucifer on the floor. Then he rose from the chair, picked Prudence up in his arms, and carried her to the bed. He drew her close, savoring her welcoming warmth.
The news of Curling’s departure from London did not cause so much as a ripple of interest among the guests at the Brandon soiree that evening. Prudence remarked upon that fact to Sebastian as they stood together near the window.
Sebastian smiled. “There is no reason anyone else should be particularly concerned with the fact that Curling has left Town suddenly. There is nothing unusual about it.”
“Will they show an interest when they hear that he has left the country?”
“Yes,” Sebastian said with cool satisfaction. “That will no doubt draw attention.” He glanced across the room. “I see Lady Pembroke has arrived.” r />
Prudence lifted her dangling glass to her eyes and spotted Hester. “Yes, so she has.” She waved her fan enthusiastically at her friend. “I wonder if she has lined up any new clients for me. Now that your investigation is finished, it is time I turned up an interesting project for us.”
“I can do with some peace and quiet for a while.” Sebastian narrowed his gaze. “Damnation. Here comes Jeremy.”
“Where? This silly glass is such a nuisance.” Prudence held the fashionable glass up to her eyes again and peered through it. Jeremy was making his way toward them through the throng. He looked eager to reach Sebastian’s side. “I do believe you have become something of a hero in your cousin’s eyes my lord, just as you have in Trevor’s.”
“I can think of other, far more interesting ways in which to amuse myself than playing hero to young men.” Sebastian downed the champagne in his glass as Jeremy arrived.
“’Evening, Lady Angelstone.” Jeremy bowed gracefully over Prudence’s hand.
“Good evening, Jeremy.” Prudence smiled at him.
Jeremy gave Sebastian a man-to-man look. “Expect you’ve heard that Curling left Town this afternoon.”
“I heard,”
“He’ll no doubt be on his way to the Continent before long.” Jeremy snatched a glass of champagne off a passing tray. “I suppose that I should be content with seeing him forced out of the country, but I still think the man should be made to pay more dearly for what he did.”
“Believe me, Curling will find it hell to be banished from England,” Sebastian said. “Especially when he realizes that his newfound fortune will evaporate very quickly.”
Prudence looked at him in surprise. “Why will it evaporate? I thought you allowed him to keep the investment company intact on condition that he left the country.”
“I did.” Sebastian smiled his coldest smile. “For all the good it will do him. When word gets about that he has left England and that the only other principal in the firm is mad Bloomfield, the value of the shares will fall swiftly. Within a few months they will be worthless. The company will be forced into bankruptcy.”
Jeremy stared at him. “I had not realized that, sir. You mean Curling will not be able to hold on to his fortune?”